Towards Eternity #6
How healthtech is helping in chronic diseases management, Aciana's integrated health platform, highlights from the 2024 CII Health Summit, and a deep dive into sleep that helps you sleep better.
Did you know that chronic sleep deprivation can lead to cardiovascular disease, obesity, and even mental health disorders?
In this edition of Towards Eternity, we explore:
Cutting-edge healthtech innovations that are revolutionizing chronic disease management and sleep care.
How Hyderabad's Aciana is merging AI with genetic insights for personalized health solutions.
Key takeaways from the 2024 Health Summit on India's healthcare future.
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This newsletter brings you the top three healthtech stories from the past week, along with a deep dive into one standout story that caught our attention.
This is Towards Eternity, a weekly newsletter that curates and brings together insights from the world of healthtech. This newsletter is aimed at health enthusiasts, biohackers, investors, Quantified Self enthusiasts, founders, and investors to get the pulse of the ecosystem.
I’m Pradeep, a writer, recovering health enthusiast, and part of the C4E Village.
3 for the Week!
Healthtech solutions are revolutionizing chronic disease management
Enhancing Patient Engagement: Digital platforms help patients actively participate in their health management, leading to improved adherence to treatment plans and better health outcomes.
Enabling Remote Monitoring: Wearable devices and telehealth services facilitate continuous monitoring of chronic conditions, allowing for timely interventions and reducing the need for frequent in-person visits.
Personalizing Treatment Plans: Advanced data analytics and AI-driven tools analyze patient data to tailor treatment strategies, leading to more effective and individualized care for chronic disease patients.
I found these insights from this interview with GlobalLogic’s VP of Engineering in Express Healthcare.
Hyderabad based healthtech startup launches integrated healthcare platform that integrates genetic insights
Ciana, developed by Hyderabad-based healthtech startup Aciana, is an integrated healthcare platform that:
Offers AI-Powered Face Scans: Uses AI to analyze facial features, providing over 25 health metrics—including cardiovascular risk, metabolic disorders, diabetes risk, and mental stress levels—in just 30 seconds.
Integrates Genetic Insights: Combines genetic data with AI-driven analytics to deliver personalized health insights, improving precision in healthcare delivery.
Connects Healthcare Stakeholders: Serves as a full-fledged platform linking patients, healthcare providers, diagnostics, and pharmacies, allowing real-time data exchange and improving care coordination. More details here.
CII organizes 2024 Health Summit in New Delhi
Advancements in the Medical Device Sector: The Union Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare, Smt. Anupriya Patel, highlighted India's position as the fourth-largest medical devices market in Asia, with the sector expected to grow from $14 billion to $30 billion by 2030. She emphasized government initiatives such as 100% FDI under the automatic route, the National Medical Device Policy 2023, and the establishment of medical device parks to boost domestic manufacturing and exports.
Integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Healthcare: The summit emphasized the need for innovation in AI to facilitate and tackle healthcare challenges, in-line with the government's vision of leveraging technology for improved health outcomes.
Public-Private Collaboration for Healthcare Transformation: Union Health Secretary, Smt. Punya Salila Srivastava, stressed the importance of partnerships between the public and private sectors in making healthcare affordable, accessible, and inclusive. She called for collaborative efforts to establish a robust and equitable healthcare system by 2047.
Deep Dive
Sleep is often called the third pillar of health, alongside nutrition and exercise. Yet, in our fast-paced, digitally connected world, it is also the most neglected. According to the World Health Organization, up to one-third of adults worldwide suffer from insufficient or poor-quality sleep (myself included). This isn’t just a matter of waking up tired; chronic sleep deprivation is linked to a higher risk of cardiovascular disease, obesity, diabetes, and mental health disorders such as depression and anxiety.
The Importance of Sleep for Health
Sleep isn’t just a period of rest; it’s a complex physiological state essential for physical and mental recovery. During sleep, your body repairs tissues, strengthens the immune system, and consolidates memories. Key processes include:
Brain Function: Sleep enhances cognitive performance, creativity, and emotional regulation. It clears waste products from the brain, reducing the risk of neurodegenerative diseases.
Hormonal Balance: Adequate sleep helps regulate hormones like cortisol, the stress hormone, and insulin, which controls blood sugar levels.
Physical Recovery: Deep sleep stages are critical for muscle repair and growth, as well as overall physical recovery after exertion.
How Healthtech is Improving Sleep
Healthtech is revolutionizing sleep management:
Wearable Technology: Devices like smartwatches and fitness trackers now come equipped with advanced sleep tracking features. They monitor metrics such as sleep stages, heart rate variability, and oxygen levels, offering personalized insights into sleep quality.
Smart Sleep Environments: AI-powered devices, such as smart mattresses and sleep monitoring systems, improve sleeping conditions by adjusting room temperature, lighting, and sound.
Digital Sleep Therapy: Apps like Calm, Sleepio, and Headspace provide guided meditations, cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia (CBT-I), and sleep schedules based on individual needs.
Three Tips to Instantly Improve Your Sleep
While healthtech provides powerful tools, you can take these steps tonight to improve your sleep:
Optimize Your Sleep Environment:
Keep your bedroom cool, dark, and quiet. Use blackout curtains.
Invest in a comfortable mattress and pillows suited to your sleeping style.
Avoid screens for at least an hour before bed, as blue light disrupts melatonin production.
Follow a Consistent Sleep Schedule:
Go to bed and wake up at the same time every day, even on weekends. This helps regulate your internal body clock.
Create a calming pre-sleep routine, such as reading, meditating, or taking a warm bath.
Mind What You Consume Before Bed:
Avoid caffeine and alcohol in the hours leading up to sleep. Both can disrupt your sleep cycle.
Opt for light snacks if you’re hungry—complex carbs and protein can promote sleep.
A good thumb-rule to remember is the 3-2-1 rule. No food 3 hours before sleep. No water 2 hours before sleep. And no device 1 hour before sleep.
The Future of Sleep and Healthtech
At C4E, we’ve worked with a startup that is pushing sleep solutions from the comfort of the mattress into the realm of science.
Imagine a future where personalized AI systems analyze your sleep data in real-time, adjusts your sleep environment for the best sleep for you, and seamlessly integrates with other health devices to optimize your overall well-being.
In the meantime, by adopting healthy sleep habits and leveraging the power of technology, you can take meaningful steps toward better sleep and, consequently, better health. Remember, good sleep is a necessity for a healthier, happier life.
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